Gmail users could only VoIP call each other, while Google Voice users could …

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Now that Google Voice has finally gone public, Google has merged Gmail and Google Voice to allow users to place phone calls from within Gmail, adding more flexibility to both services. Additionally, the company announced that calls to the US and Canada would be free for "at least" the rest of the year, and that calls to other countries would be very cheap.

Previously, Gmail users could load up their Google Talk lists in the sidebar, and even make voice or video calls with their Google Talk contacts. As Google points out, however, these types of VoIP calls were limited, as they required both parties to be sitting at a computer while signed into Gmail. What if one party is away and you need to confirm something? Or what if you suddenly remember to make a doctor appointment while you're checking your e-mail?

The Google Voice integration is meant to address those situations. "We’ve been testing this feature internally and have found it to be useful in a lot of situations, ranging from making a quick call to a restaurant, to placing a call when you’re in an area with bad reception," wrote Google Software Engineer Robin Schriebman on the Official Google Blog.

Not only can you make outbound calls (after installing a plug-in), you can also choose to receive calls on your Google Voice number from within Gmail. The service is only available to US users for now, and in typical Google fashion, it's rolling out slowly—don't panic if you don't see the update right away. Now if only Google would put some of that world-class engineering talent to work on improving the voicemail transcriptions...

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Jacqui Cheng
Jacqui is an Editor at Large at Ars Technica, where she has spent the last eight years writing about Apple culture, gadgets, social networking, privacy, and more. Emailjacqui@arstechnica.com//Twitter@eJacqui